Kundenmagazin 2016-05 EN

clearly focused on a systematic co- ordination of activities. It is a targeted approach that concentrates on new products as well as awareness and image. Grants are useful and often even necessary to achieve our objec- tives. Therefore, we gratefully accept any funds that help us to strengthen our team and to enhance our equip- ment according to our application for the project, and, of course, follow the rule of disclosure afterwards. Howev- er, one has to realise that through our contribution, which often makes up for more than 50 percent, we take a high business risk in these projects, while any commercial aspects that could generate sales often lie in an unpre- dictable future, far away. Managing grants is not everything. As a committee member of the GAK, we are investing, for instance, a lot of time in advisory, sampling and devel- opment activities, to have influence on the attribution and utilisation of public funds for research projects at universi- ties. This goes hand in hand with our objective to ensure a transfer of exper- tise from research and science to our organisation. Editor: Tell us about a specific project. Henneken: Our biggest running pro- ject, “Oilpalm-Wood,” is a good ex- ample. In this project, Jowat has a coordinating role, and works together with four additional partners (advisors, tool manufacturers and engineering companies) on the realisation of the objectives. The core project supported by the BMZ (German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Devel- opment) has also established an in- ternational network of experts, called “PalmwoodNet,” with additional mem- bers from research and industries. The objective of this project is to use the large volumes of available wood from unproductive oil palms to manufacture marketable products with a high level of value creation (e.g. for sawn timber, furniture parts, materials for interior fittings, construction and packaging material) and focuses on Thailand and Malaysia. Further information on this project can be found in the “News” cat- egory in this magazine. Editor: What exactly are the benefits for Jowat from this project? Henneken: Wood from oil palms also has to be bonded. In the medium to long term, we will have a market with high potential, which by then we will know like the back of our hands. This will give us the edge in expertise and the necessary contacts in the industry. As a medium-sized enterprise, Jowat has to be agile with regard to new mar- kets, product innovations, grants and networking to continue on the path of success in the future. Interview partner Dr Hartmut Henneken Head of Research Services 21

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